Associate Director of First-Year Recruitment and Outreach

California State University; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University, Sacramento is seeking an Associate Director of First-Year Recruitment and Outreach to lead and expand the university’s enrollment efforts. You will oversee territory management, regional recruitment, and yield strategies to diversify the entering class while aligning initiatives with institutional goals.

You will leverage enrollment data, CRM tools, and market analysis to identify opportunities, allocate resources, and measure effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, business, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Progressively responsible experience and documented success in college admissions.

Responsibilities

• Lead Sacramento State’s first-year recruitment strategy and outreach efforts.
• Oversee territory management, regional and nonresident recruitment.
• Develop yield strategies to broaden geographic diversity.
• Analyze enrollment data and CRM outcomes to optimize resources.
• Collaborate across departments and supervise recruitment staff.

Skills

Team leadership

Recruitment operations

Communication skills

Strategic enrollment planning

Data analysis

CRM proficiency

Stakeholder collaboration

Time management

Equity and inclusion

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree / equivalent experience

Admissions experience

Tools

CRM platforms

Data tracking tools

Office applications

Job description

Associate Director of First-Year Recruitment and Outreach

Job no: 563504
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Sacramento
Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Priority Application Deadline: Thursday, November 19th @ 11:55pm PST

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of Recruitment, Outreach & Orientation, the Associate Director provides leadership for Sacramento State’s first-year student recruitment strategy, with primary responsibility for developing and executing approaches that strengthen first-year enrollment from California markets beyond the university's traditional local recruitment area and strategically expand enrollment from targeted out-of-state markets.

The Associate Director oversees first-year territory management, regional and nonresident recruitment, high school and counselor engagement, recruitment outreach, and yield strategies designed to achieve university enrollment goals and broaden the geographic diversity of the entering class. The position uses enrollment data, market analysis, CRM tools, and recruitment outcomes to identify emerging markets, allocate recruitment resources, and evaluate effectiveness.

FLSA: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime compensation)

Anticipated Hiring Range: $7,084 per month -$7,900 per month

CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,135 per month - $12,288 per month

Work Hours: Monday through Friday; may include evenings and weekends. May be required to travel (both air and land) with overnights.

Department Information

The Admissions & Outreach Office is a dedicated team committed to recruiting, informing, and guiding prospective students—especially those from underserved or disadvantaged backgrounds—through the admissions process at Sacramento State.

Education and Experience

• 1. Bachelor’s degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, business, or a related field or equivalent work experience.
• 2. Progressively responsible experience and documented success in college admissions.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• 3. Ability to build, supervise, and develop high-performing teams.
• 4. Proven ability to direct, monitor, and sustain daily recruitment operations while aligning activity with institutional enrollment goals.
• 5. Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership, staff, students, families, and external partners.
• 6. Demonstrated ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, and adapt to changing institutional needs.
• 7. Strong proficiency with computer systems and enterprise technologies, including CRM platforms, data tracking tools, and standard office applications.
• 8. Demonstrated attention to detail and the ability to establish timelines, meet deadlines, and ensure accountability across multiple initiatives.
• 9. Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments and build effective partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.
• 10. Ability to exercise independent judgment, analyze information, and make sound decisions within established policies and procedures.
• 11. Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment with diverse colleagues and constituents including faculty, students, staff, and members of the community.

Other

• 12. Ability to frequently travel in-state, out-of-state, and to other identified recruitment sites.
• 13. Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends.

PreferredQualifications

• 14. Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, or a related field.
• 15. Progressive professional experience in student recruitment, admissions, enrollment management, or outreach, preferably in a higher education setting.
• 16. Experience supervising professional staff and conducting performance evaluations, coaching, and corrective action.
• 17. Experience with strategic enrollment planning, yield initiatives, and data-informed decision-making.
• 18. Experience developing and managing geographic recruitment territories, including expansion into new or emerging markets.
• 19. Experience with nonresident or out-of-state student recruitment and yield strategies.
• 20. Experience using market, demographic, and enrollment-funnel data to identify recruitment opportunities and assess return on recruitment investment.
• 21. Experience developing relationships with high school counselors, school districts, community-based organizations, and other external partners in priority recruitment markets.
• 22. Experience leading recruitment travel strategy, including deployment of staff and resources across multiple regions or states.
• 23. Familiarity with the CSU system, dual enrollment, and California K-16 education landscape.
• 24. Experience developing and managing geographic recruitment markets, including markets outside an institution’s traditional service area.
• 25. Experience with nonresident or out-of-state student recruitment.
• 26. Experience using Slate or similar CRM systems to manage recruitment operations and reporting.
• 27. Demonstrated commitment to access, equity, and student success through recruitment and outreach efforts.

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume and cover letter.

Failure to upload required documentation may result in disqualification.

Sacramento State is located in the heart of California’s capital city, five miles from State Capitol.

The lush, 300-acre park-like campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the "Farm-to-Fork Capital," is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half a million.

"As California's capital university, Sacramento State transforms lives by preparing all students to lead, serve, and succeed. We are committed to our designations as a Hispanic Serving Institution, an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, and a Black Serving Institution, and to intentionally serving students reflective of these designations and all students who have been historically underserved in education."

As evidenced by the values embedded in our Hornet Honor Code , Sacramento State is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, students, and guests are welcome and valued. Our commitment is more than simply ensuring that our campus is free from bias and discrimination, but is one devoted to celebrating many diverse identities, life experiences, and perspectives that enrich our community, teaching and learning.

To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family, please visit the Why Sac State? page.

Equal Employment Opportunity

California State University, Sacramento is an affirmative action/Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States.

Jeanne Clery Campus Safety ActNotification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at https://www.csus.edu/clery .

The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics ofCleryAct crimes for Sacramento State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at [e-mail] .

Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.

Education Code 89521 Requirements

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University, Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily